Cut a Shed Kit to Size?

Hi, Everyone,

I'm looking at getting a basic Storage shed kit that I can eventually turn into an office space. I'd intended to either build it from scratch or have one built, but recent events have slapped both my time and my budget around, and so I now must find some different options.

I have decided to go with the Handy Homes Majestic shed kit from Home Depot (see the photo below). Not the best kit, but it is something I can work with--and more importantly, it's a kit I can immediately bring home and start putting together once I purchase it.

Here is my dilemna:

the space I have to place this shed in is limited. I have 9x13' of space, 10x13' if I stretch it. Our city regs say I must give a couple of feet clearance from each of the fences. I can set it a bit closer to the house, since the wall I'd be building next to has no egresses, but that still means I can only build an 8x10' of so shed. The usual Handy Homes 8x10' gable shed only has 6' side walls. Though they are about 8' tall at their centers, Though I'm not that tall, I don't relish working for 10 to 12 hours a day in a space with walls that short: too much like working in a stand-up coffin, even if I have windows and a skylight.

The Majestic, is 8x12', and 9' tall at the center, which would work perfectly... if.

And that's my question: would it be possible to cut the side walls of this kit down, so that it is ultimately 8' wide and 10' long? I was going to lay my own floor rather than going with the floor kit because I want something a bit sturdier under my feet than what Handy Homes supplies. But would I be able to cut this thing down so it would fit my needs? And if so, what would I need to do to be able to set this up the way I want?

I apologize if this seems rather an insane question, but so far I haven't found another 8x10' shed kit that will give me 7' side walls to start with for a price that will let me finish the interior up in a timely and relatively inexpensive manner. And as I'm sure you've guessed, I'm very new at this thing. I've built a computer desk or two in my time, but never put together a building, from a kit or otherwise.

If anyone can give me some pointers--soon!--or suggest a kit that I can get my hands on very quickly-- I would appreciate it.

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Cut a Shed Kit to Size?

If the plan to turn it into an office then stick build it.
Those cheap sheds do not have enough over hang of the roofs, No ridge vents, no windows, no soffit vents, most are built with 2 X 3's not 2 X 4's so there's little room for insulation, no nailers for sheetrock, no hurracane ties on the rafters, T-111 for siding, undersized ceiling joist not enough support under the floor.
With the walls not being 8' tall your going to be throwing away 12" of sheetrock, why? Make them 8" and it's less cutting and less time.
Two guys that know what there doing can build that small a shed in about 2 days or less.

Cut a Shed Kit to Size?

I would'nt try to adapt a pre-fab.
Then you want your own floor...
If you can build a computer desk, you can build a shed.
Probably a little more, but it will be heavier-duty and the size that you can best custom-fit into the space.

Cut a Shed Kit to Size?

Quote:

Originally Posted by joecaption

If the plan to turn it into an office then stick build it.
Those cheap sheds do not have enough over hang of the roofs, No ridge vents, no windows, no soffit vents, most are built with 2 X 3's not 2 X 4's so there's little room for insulation, no nailers for sheetrock, no hurracane ties on the rafters, T-111 for siding, undersized ceiling joist not enough support under the floor.
With the walls not being 8' tall your going to be throwing away 12&quot; of sheetrock, why? Make them 8&quot; and it's less cutting and less time.
Two guys that know what there doing can build that small a shed in about 2 days or less.

Yeah, the 2x3 thing was what made me initially decide against Handy Home--but as I said, things have changed in terms of available time and available finances, so I was looking again. Having someone build it, unfortunately, is just not possible, but I will certainly give another look at building it myself, perhaps with a bit of help from friends and family (though the idea of some of them with a hammer makes my hair curl).

Quote:

Originally Posted by titanoman

I would'nt try to adapt a pre-fab.
Then you want your own floor...
If you can build a computer desk, you can build a shed.
Probably a little more, but it will be heavier-duty and the size that you can best custom-fit into the space.

With that in mind, I'm looking at something a bit more lean-to in shape: I saw some office plans at a site called icreatables that might suit my needs, and they will supposedly adjust their plans for you for free, so I'm wouldn't be trying to adjust it to suit my needs as I go along. Assuming I go ahead and do the full DYI route. I have to double-check it, but I believe if the structure is designed so that it at least begins at the top of the fence height-wise, you can build a bit closer to it. It sure would be nice to squeeze a 8x12' shed into that space, if possible... Thanks for getting back to me so quickly, folks; I really appreciate the insight of &quot;veterans&quot;, especially if it ends up saving me a bit of time, money or frustration. I'll let you know what I end up doing, as I'll probably have made a decision by tomorrow.

Cut a Shed Kit to Size?

My suggestion is to to go back to Home Depot and purchase a "How to Build Sheds" book. Read through it and decide if you want to tackle it. I think you'l find it to be a fun DIY project. If you are putting it next to the house, don't forget to allow for roof overhang. New construction vinyl windows are surprisingly inexpensive. I'd install at least one nice big one if you are going to be using the shed as an office.

I think you'll have fewer problems and frustrations stickbuilding it, than adapting and cutting a pre-built.

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Cut a Shed Kit to Size?

the kit sheds sold at big box stores are garbage for the price.. i can stick frame a shed out of stronger material and have a more structurally sound design for about 15% less $$ in material than those kits.

Last edited by woodworkbykirk; 03-04-2012 at 08:50 PM.

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Cut a Shed Kit to Size?

the kits are pretty much the same right across the board.. their mostly 2x3 framing that is 24" o.c.. which is a joke.. i can fart and knock one over.. build it with atleast 2x4's 16" o.c. better yet build it with 2x6 and your able to properly insulate it if you plan on using it as an office space

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Cut a Shed Kit to Size?

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodworkbykirk

the kit sheds sold at big box stores are garbage for the price.. i can stick frame a shed out of stronger material and have a more structurally sound design for about 15% $$ in material than those kits.

Boy, you got THAT right!

DM

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Cut a Shed Kit to Size?

the kits are pretty much the same right across the board.. their mostly 2x3 framing that is 24" o.c.. which is a joke.. i can fart and knock one over..

Okay... that made me .

I can probably get away with the 2x4's considering where I live. We only get stick-to-the-ground-for-about-ten-minutes snow about once every twenty years. Hell, we rarely, rarely drop below freezing in the winter, and that only at night. And our summers are generally mild as well, so insulation isn't the issue it would be in colder or consistently hotter climes.

I sent an email to icreatables .com, re: making some minor changes to the office shed plans I'm interested in. I should hear from them in 24 to 48 hours, with another 24 to 48 hours if they can make the changes . Which I guess means I'm going to give a go to stick-building this thing.

Cut a Shed Kit to Size?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevalin

Okay... that made me .

I can probably get away with the 2x4's considering where I live. We only get stick-to-the-ground-for-about-ten-minutes snow about once every twenty years. Hell, we rarely, rarely drop below freezing in the winter, and that only at night. And our summers are generally mild as well, so insulation isn't the issue it would be in colder or consistently hotter climes.

I sent an email to icreatables .com, re: making some minor changes to the office shed plans I'm interested in. I should hear from them in 24 to 48 hours, with another 24 to 48 hours if they can make the changes . Which I guess means I'm going to give a go to stick-building this thing.